Chock to Chock 2007-2011

2012 |

2011 |

2010 |

2009 |

2008 |

2007

2012

Back to Top

December

Landings, sometimes we try too hard - Landings need to be planned taking into consideration the weather and runway surface conditions. This planning should tell us “yes or no.” We must not let pride push us into a “yes.”

November

Electrical fires can, and do, happen - An electrical fire is a critical emergency. The Aviation Safety Letter recently published a TSB report on an electrical fire that resulted in a crash. Fortunately, all five persons on board were able to evacuate the aircraft.

October

Crosswind take-offs, landings need practice - How many of us keep our crosswind take-off and landing skills current?

September

Defensive taxiing may prevent a dent - We tend to focus well when we fly our aircraft. Unfortunately, we often don’t focus as well or pay adequate attention when we are taxiing the aircraft.

August

Human factors: Using good judgement - Norms are unwritten rules and procedures that develop over time. Often norms develop when someone finds an easier or quicker way of doing a task. Others see it and copy it. It becomes a norm.

July

Human factors: Communication skills - The four human factors that are most likely to get us into trouble with our flying were discussed last month – complacency, distractions, fatigue and stress. The human factor that will get us into the most trouble generally is communications.

June

We are human, ergo we make mistakes - There are 12 human factors that make us more likely to make mistakes. The four human factors that most often get us into trouble are complacency, distractions, fatigue and stress.

May

Uncontrolled airport procedures in place for safety - MF procedures continue to be a problem for some pilots.

April

Spiral dive sometimes called death spiral - As with stalls and spins, we should be teaching students how to identify the situations where spiral dives may occur. Spiral dives are most often not identified until it is too late for recovery.

March

Emphasize awareness in stall/spin training - The current method of practicing spin entries bears no relation to reality.

February

A bad mix: distractions during take-offs - Diagnosing or trying to fix a problem during the take-off is not wise. If an unusual event occurs, we must decide to abort the take-off or continue the take-off very quickly.

January

I can’t see a thing - We are still pushing the weather, even when we know it is below legal limits or it is less than safe.